How to improve communication in your team
A team that doesn’t communicate successfully is like a car engine which has been broken down into its individual parts. Even if all are in great woking order and looked after, without the rest of the engine components, the individual parts can’t complete what they are supposed to. A team in your business is no different – each member will be working on their own individual projects, however all these tasks combined create the complete picture. Through the implementation of an ongoing communication strategy, every project is far more likely to succeed and run smoothly.
Communication is far more than just talking face-to-face, though this form of communication is undeniably valuable. However, technology plays a huge part in business communication and can save masses of time and help team members work together far more efficiently. If your staff are working as individuals as opposed to a single unit, then increasing overall communication across the whole team should be your aim. By implementing a few simple strategies, team interaction should begin to increase in no time.
Here are just a few tips that your team’s communication could benefit from:
1) Open door policy
If everyone works behind their own closed door, it unavoidably creates an atmosphere of secrecy at work. This applies to the physical sense of being shut off as well as the psychological one. An article by Forbes stated that by physically opening your door, or encouraging an open plan environment, you are clearly communicating that everybody is part of the same time. Essentially any barriers between workers are being broken down.
2) Role clarity
If a member of the team has doubts about exactly what you require of them, they are likely to flounder and be unable to complete tasks assigned to them to an adequate standard. Though the clarification of each individual’s roles and responsibilities, you are overcoming the first obstacle to increasing communication.
3) Encourage two-way feedback
Knowing how to give detailed and constructive feedback is a vital tool in the business world and is itself a method of increasing team communication. Although verbal feedback from a superior member of staff to individuals is already useful in itself, encouraging a two-way conversation can be far more powerful This should enable your team to self-evaluate and discuss how they feel they performed rather than just hearing your opinion.
4) Nurture team spirit
Developing a team spirit not only allows everyone the opportunity to get to know one another better, but it also helps establish an environment where everyone feels they are invested in the outcome. This sense of being a part of somethings is likely to improve communication channels. Encouraging meeting together in social situations provides teams with the chance to relax together, without the constricting boundaries of a work environment.
5) Use relevant communication channels
Some projects may require a hand-on approach, meaning more face-to-face meetings in order to communicate effectively. However, other projects may involve a number of staff working in different locations, thus making in-house meetings tricky. For situations like this, conference calling would be a far more suitable and highly effective method of communication. It eliminates the problem of distance between workers and can also save money and time for your business which would otherwise be spent on travel.